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Both left the glamour and the glare of publicity that is the NFL, grudgingly.

But, apparently there is life after football in the sporting world for Hines Ward and Terrell Owens.

After a celebrated career, Owens has struggled to find a new direction and meaning in life. But, he seems to be getting it together. Ward, meantime, may actually be getting more face-time now than when he was catching balls for the Steelers.

There was Dancing With the Stars, he’s worked as a commentator for both college and NFL games and he’s a member of President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. And, now, he’s in training for the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.

“I’ve always wanted to be known for more than just being a football player,” Ward said before heading to swim lessons to prepare for the Ironman, which takes place in October. “I’ve been busier now than when I was in football ... This past football season, I traveled all over the world. Of course, you’re going to miss football and the competitive side, but I wake up a lot easier on Monday.”

Owens, now 39, has had a lower public profile since his controversial 15-year career ended -- not particularly of his own choosing -- in 2010. His ownership of the Indoor Footall League’s Allen Wranglers ended in disaster, and when he declared himself ready for an NFL comeback, nobody showed up to even watch him work out.

On Dr. Phil, he was denigrated on network TV, as a dead-beat father by several women. Then, there were his financial troubles. It all culminated in an article in GQ Magazine with Owens confessing, “I’m in hell.”

But, he too, seems to have found peace.

It has come, in of all unlikely places, America’s bowling alleys. Owens is the owner of the Dallas Strikers, a team in the Professional Bowlers Association. “I want to keep that competitive edge by getting involved with a sport I really enjoy,” Owens said on PBA.com. “I always felt that my time in Dallas was special and I had a great time while I was there. Hopefully we can put Dallas back on the map with a bowling championship.”

Owens, who rolls a 190, isn’t trading cleats for bowling shoes. He is officially “A Suit” now. For now, he has set aside his indignities, and Sunday he once again heard the cheers of the crowd when he threw out the first ball at a PBA event in Detroit.

Ward never stopped hearing the cheers but, like Owens, wanted to play one more NFL season in 2012. The Steelers said “No.”

He quietly announced his retirement.

No farewell tour.

Nothing like team-mate Jerome Bettis -- who incidentally also owns a bowling team in the same league as Owens -- when he retired as a Super Bowl champion. Neither he, nor Owens, ever got to walk off the field with the parting applause of a home crowd. “I’m a little disappointed how it ended. But that’s part of the business,” Ward said. “I still think about how it went down, and I look at Ray Lewis having the opportunity to walk off the field in Baltimore. I never had that opportunity.”

PASS THE BUBBLY

Redskins tackle Trent Williams went to Hawaii.

And, all he got was tasered and a champagne bottle upside the head.

Williams got caught in the middle of a brawl at a notorious Honolulu night club. He suffered a seven-stitch cut. But, the good news is that just for a change, it appears that an NFL player was a victim instead of perpetrator.

According to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, Michael Miske Jr,, the owner of Miske’s M Nightlife nightclub at Restaurant Row, has been arrested and charged.

Miske has a lengthy rap sheet that includes 10 total convictions and six felonies, dating back to 1993.

The NFL, after the incident, warned players to avoid the nightclub.

QUICK HITS

Former Bears coach Lovie Smith is playing Russian Roulette with his career. He is expected to pass on potential defensive coordinator jobs in Philadelphia and New Orleans in hopes of landing another head coaching job in 2014, according to ESPN. In pro sports, people very quickly forget who you are, and what you’ve done. Out of sight, out of mind -- and, out of a job ... Media and league sources are linking Browns’ linebacker coach Billy Davis, the Ravens’ Ted Monachino and 49ers secondary coach Ed Donatell to the Philly job ... Noted bounty-hunter Gregg Williams looks like he’ll have his suspension lifted after the Super Bowl, and the Tennessee Titans are reported to have him lined up to become assistant goon. (Oops. Darn typos) I mean, assistant head coach. Jerry Gray is the current defensive coordinator but Tennessee’s defence set a franchise record allowing 471 points ... Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff had twice the legal limit of alcohol content in his blood when he was arrested last week after hitting an 18-wheeler and a highway median ... Reports suggest the Patriots will target Ravens’ safety Ed Reed in the off-season to fix a leaky secondary. Guess if you can’t beat‘em, you might as well sign’em.

As Advertised in the Calgary SUN

T.O, Hines Ward find life after leaving NFL

Both left the glamour and the glare of publicity that is the NFL, grudgingly.

But, apparently there is life after football in the sporting world for Hines Ward and Terrell Owens.

After a celebrated career, Owens has struggled to find a new direction and meaning in life. But, he seems to be getting it together. Ward, meantime, may actually be getting more face-time now than when he was catching balls for the Steelers.

There was Dancing With the Stars, he’s worked as a commentator for both college and NFL games and he’s a member of President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. And, now, he’s in training for the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.

“I’ve always wanted to be known for more than just being a football player,” Ward said before heading to swim lessons to prepare for the Ironman, which takes place in October. “I’ve been busier now than when I was in football ... This past football season, I traveled all over the world.